Apples Still Unblemished

Win Streak now at Four - Jones breaks wrist -Out for season



New York Times
Nashville, TN

If there were ever any doubts they can now be laid to rest. The 2007 FreshPoint Apples are for real. Playing in front of another sold out crowd last night, the FreshPoint Apples ran their league leading record to 4 - 0 and have now cemented their position as the team to beat in the Granny White Coed Softball League.

Paced by rookies Shane Alexander and Greg Treep, the Apples did just enough to beat their longtime rivals the New River Saints in a game that matched the leagues two top teams. " We won ugly tonight " said Alexander after the game. " A win is a win " added Treep as he signed autographs outside the Apples locker room following the 11 - 6 Apple victory.

Unfortunately for the Apples all of last nights news is not good. In what may come back to haunt them, 2 time league MVP and lead off batter John Jones was involved in a collision at third base during the first inning that left him with what was first reported as a broken right wrist. Jones was taken from the stadium to a nearby hospital for X - Rays and results confirmed that Jones fractured the radius bone and is expected to out for 6 - 8 weeks. In a show of team support, Jones was awarded the game ball which was delivered to the hospital by the entire Apple team.

Along with the injury to Jones and for the second week in a row, Apple pitcher Greg Swafford complained of soreness in his throwing arm and was not able to take the mound for the Apples. Following a visit with team physician Zoie Robertson, Swafford was placed on the 14 day disabled list retroactive to April 25th. " I'm bummed " said Swafford as he sat in the dugout with his arm wrapped in ice.

After the decision was made to bench Swafford the Apples again called on Former Apple Great and Future Hall of Famer Don Bernitt to pitch the Apples to victory.. With the win, Bernitt notched career victory number 83 and now finds himself just 2 wins shy of the all time Coed Softball league record of 85 wins held by the legendary Cy Youngman. " I'm not about records, I'm about rings" said Bernitt when questioned about his chase on the record books.

As for the rest of the Apples last night, it wasn't good.. " We couldn't hit water if we fell out of a boat " said outfielder Patty Pender following the game.. " Not a night to remember " added 3rd baseman Keith Jenkins who played while battling the flu. Despite their sub par performance and like it or not, the Apples are now the hunted and will be forced to regroup and refocus as they continue their run toward the World Coed Softball Championship. If nothing else can be said following the game, there is one thing to be said for sure....... How bout them Apples